
CARE FOR YOUR JEWELRY
Daily wear, dust, and exposure to pollutants can dull gemstones and tarnish metals such as gold and silver. With proper care, your jewelry will retain its beauty and last for generations. By following a few simple steps, you can preserve its shine and ensure that each piece continues to tell its story for years to come.
Sterling Silver
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Considerations
It tarnishes, especially when exposed to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands, cleaning products, perfumes, lotions or other cosmetics. The chlorine and bleach accelerate tarnishing so they should be avoided.
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Good habits
It's best to remove your jewelry before cleaning, swimming, showering, or exercising, as exposure to moisture can cause the metals to tarnish over time. Avoid rough handling or dropping your jewelry. However, daily wear can naturally help to protect your silver jewelry from tarnish. That's why AT suggests wearing your silver regularly to minimize maintenance.
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Cleaning maintenance
To remove tarnish from your jewelry, you can use AT's Jewelry Cleaning Cloth. Gently wipe the jewelry to remove surface tarnish. If this does not completely eliminate it, try soaking the jewelry in warm water, and then wipe it again with the polishing cloth. If the tarnish persists after these steps, we recommend contacting our cleaning services for professional care.
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Storing
Once you've cleaned your silver, store it in a dry place to prevent tarnish. Store different pieces of jewelry separately to prevent them from rubbing against each other, generating scratches.
Gold-plated Silver
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Gold-plated jewelry, while beautiful and affordable, requires a bit more attention than solid gold pieces. It is important to be very careful because the gold plating is not infinite. The type of sweat, humidity or exposure to products mentioned below can cause the plated surface to disappear.
All our jewelry is available in solid gold if you never want to take them off, come rain or shine.
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Considerations
Like in the sterling silver care, avoid the exposure to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands, perfumes, lotions or other cosmetics. Chlorine and bleach can accelerate the process of damage so they should be avoided.
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Good habits
Gold-plated jewelry, the more you wear it, the more attention it will need. Remove your jewelry before cleaning, swimming, showering, or exercising, as exposure to moisture can cause the plated surface to damage over time. Avoid rough handling or dropping your jewelry.
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Cleaning maintenance
Gently rub your jewelry with the AT’s Jewelry Cleaning Cloth in a circular motion, avoiding harsh materials like paper towels or abrasive fabrics. If necessary, rinse the jewelry in warm water to remove any remaining residue, and dry it with a soft cloth. If tarnish remains, repeat the process, or contact our cleaning services for expert care.
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Storing
Once you've cleaned your gold-plated silver, store it in a dry place, maintaining the different pieces of jewelry separately to prevent them from rubbing against each other, generating scratches.
Solid 18K GOLD
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Solid 18 karat gold is the best option for jewelry you want to wear at all times.
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Considerations
Although solid gold jewelry can be worn while showering and sleeping, we recommend keeping them away from any harsh chemical (like perfumes and cleaning products). Avoid exposing gold jewelry to household bleach, which will quickly cause gold to discolor and possibly disintegrate.
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Good habits
Examine your jewelry regularly to make sure settings are snug and clasps and joinings are secure. Daily wear can help to protect it from tarnish. Handle your jewelry with care to prevent scratches or damage.
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Cleaning maintenance
Use a non-abrasive cleaner to maintain your jewelry.
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Storing
Keep your jewelry in a cool, dry place. Storing it properly to prevent scratches and discoloration, in a protective case or box.
High-quality Japanese velvet ribbon
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Considerations
Velvet is a delicate fabric that requires special attention to preserve its luxurious feel and vibrant color. Over time, improper care can cause it to lose its softness or develop discoloration. Follow these guidelines to ensure your velvet ribbon stays in perfect condition.
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Good habits
Handle with care: Velvet is sensitive to friction, so avoid pulling or stretching the fabric too harshly. Always treat it gently.
Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the color to fade. Store your velvet ribbon away from direct light when not in use.
Limit contact with rough surfaces: Velvet can easily be damaged by rough or abrasive surfaces, so avoid placing it on such materials.
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Cleaning maintenance
Hand wash only: To maintain the fabric’s texture and color, wash the velvet ribbon by hand. Never use a washing machine, as the agitation can damage the fibers.
Cold water wash: Use cold water to wash the ribbon to avoid shrinkage and prevent the colors from bleeding.
Gentle detergent: Choose a mild detergent that is gentle on fabrics. Harsh chemicals can damage the delicate fibers of velvet.
Avoid wringing: After washing, do not wring out the ribbon. Instead, gently press out excess water by pressing it between two clean towels.
Spot cleaning: If there are only small stains, it’s best to spot clean with a damp cloth rather than washing the entire ribbon.
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Storing
Store in a cool, dry place: Keep your velvet ribbon in a cool and dry area to prevent any potential mold or mildew growth.
Use a protective case: Store it in a soft fabric bag or box to avoid dust or dirt buildup.
Avoid folding: Store the ribbon flat, as folding can leave creases in the fabric. If you need to roll it, do so loosely to maintain its shape.
Keep away from sharp objects: Ensure that the ribbon isn’t in contact with sharp objects or rough materials that could damage its surface.
Cultured pearls
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Considerations
Cultured pearls are delicate and require special care to maintain their natural luster and texture. They are more fragile than many other gemstones and can be easily scratched or damaged if not handled properly. Follow these guidelines to ensure your pearls remain radiant for years to come.
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Good habits
Wear them often: The natural oils from your skin help keep the pearls’ surface moisturized, maintaining their shine. Wearing your pearls regularly is beneficial, but avoid wearing them during intense physical activities or in environments where they could be scratched.
Apply cosmetics and perfume before wearing pearls: Always apply makeup, perfume, or hairspray before putting on your pearls. These products can damage the surface of the pearls if they come into direct contact.
Avoid wearing in the pool or ocean: Chlorine and saltwater can damage the surface of the pearls. Remove your pearls before swimming or engaging in water activities.
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Cleaning maintenance
Gentle cleaning: After each use, gently wipe your pearls with a soft, clean cloth to remove any residue from cosmetics, dust, or oils. This helps prevent buildup that could affect their shine.
Avoid soap and harsh cleaners: Never use soap, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals to clean your pearls. These can strip away their natural luster and may cause discoloration.
Occasional deep cleaning: For a deeper clean, gently wipe your pearls with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water. Avoid soaking them in water, as this can weaken the silk thread in pearl necklaces and affect their structure.
Avoid abrasive materials: Never clean your pearls with abrasive materials such as paper towels or rough cloths, as these can scratch the delicate surface.
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Storing
Store separately: To prevent scratches, store your pearls separately from other jewelry, especially harder gemstones or metals. Ideally, keep them in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box.
Avoid storing in plastic bags: Plastic can trap moisture, which can damage pearls over time. Instead, store them in a breathable fabric pouch or box to protect them from humidity and dust.
Avoid extreme temperatures: Keep pearls away from extreme heat or cold. High temperatures can dry out the natural oils in the pearls, causing them to lose their luster, while very cold conditions can make them brittle.
Onyx
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Considerations
Onyx is a beautiful, durable gemstone, but it is relatively soft compared to other stones and can be prone to scratching or chipping if not properly cared for. It’s essential to handle onyx jewelry with care to maintain its glossy finish and prevent damage over time.
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Good habits
Wear it with care: Onyx can be worn daily, but avoid wearing it during activities that may expose it to rough surfaces or potential impacts, like sports or heavy physical work.
Avoid contact with chemicals: Keep onyx away from harsh chemicals, including household cleaning products, cosmetics, and perfumes. These substances can dull the stone or cause discoloration over time.
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Cleaning maintenance
Regular cleaning: Clean your onyx jewelry regularly by wiping it with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust, oils, or dirt. This will help maintain its shine and prevent buildup.
Mild soap and water: If your onyx jewelry needs deeper cleaning, use a mild soap solution with lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the solution, then gently wipe the onyx surface. Avoid soaking the stone.
Avoid abrasive cleaning materials: Do not use abrasive cloths, brushes, or harsh chemical cleaners on onyx, as they can scratch or dull the surface of the stone.
Dry carefully: After cleaning, always dry the onyx with a soft, clean cloth to avoid water spots or residue.
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Storing
Store separately: Onyx should be stored separately from other jewelry to avoid scratching or damaging its surface. Keep it in a soft pouch, jewelry box with compartments, or a lined drawer.
Avoid extreme temperatures: Keep onyx jewelry away from extreme heat or cold. Onyx can crack if exposed to rapid temperature changes, so store it in a stable environment.
Avoid storing in direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause onyx to fade or lose its vibrant color. Store your jewelry in a cool, dark place when not in use.